universal

adjective

ˌyü-nə-ˈvər-səl How to pronounce universal (audio)
Definition of universalnext
1
as in versatile
able to do many different kinds of things a universal wrench

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in general
belonging or relating to the whole mankind's universal need for affection

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in comprehensive
covering everything or all important points the genius of Leonardo da Vinci was universal: he was an artist, an architect, an engineer, and a scientist, among other things

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in ubiquitous
present in all places and at all times after the home team won the national championship, throughout the city a sense of pride was as universal as the air

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of universal Private school administrators and developers were up front about the fact the universal voucher is a huge help to their bottom line. — Austin Horn october 1, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026 The company’s website describes the system as a universal robot intelligence model designed to combine perception, reasoning and action rather than relying on separate task-specific models for every machine. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026 Certain loyalty programs, such as Delta SkyMiles, Southwest Rapid Rewards and United MileagePlus, offer rewards that don’t expire, but this isn’t a universal policy. — Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2026 Coverage would be universal, with policyholders automatically enrolled. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for universal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for universal
  1. versatile
  2. general
  3. comprehensive
  4. ubiquitous
  5. adaptable
  6. generic
  7. global
  8. widespread
Adjective
  • In 2025, the first chime of bells from a mountain pavilion at dawn, accompanied by a gentle morning greeting, creates a space where each collection is experienced independently and explores the versatile expressions of Songmont’s design language.
    — Footwear News, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • No team had ever made the playoffs after back-to-back 100-loss seasons, so to make it after three in a row was unthinkable, especially after one of their versatile pitchers was sidelined in spring training.
    — Don Riddell, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of versatile
Adjective
  • Officials have also decided on a general application screening and approval process, including what types of background checks will be necessary and which government agencies should be involved.
    — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Davide Sgariboldi, general manager at Euroitalia, said that causes excitement.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of general
Adjective
  • By comparison, human advisors can build a comprehensive financial plan — including investing, taxes, insurance, retirement planning, estate planning and more — based on your specific goals.
    — Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Months later, Straker delivered a comprehensive menu—and when the doors opened, Casa Cruz became London’s hottest restaurant.
    — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of comprehensive
Adjective
  • The game show is based around those ubiquitous internet verification tests that check if the visitor to a website is human or a bot.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • But in an age where AI-assisted writing is becoming increasingly ubiquitous, the distinctly unpolished text has its own charm.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of ubiquitous
Adjective
  • Promotional images and films conjured a playful, adaptable and benevolent house — plastic as the building block of family happiness.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Such hands-on learning, in turn, develops versatile, adaptable talent, producing graduates who can pivot across jobs as industries, technologies and opportunities evolve.
    — Raghupathy Sivakumar, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of adaptable
Adjective
  • The party has an average 8-point lead in generic congressional ballot polling, according to RealClearPolitics.
    — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Even though the vast majority of prescriptions are written for generic drugs, drug spending is surging faster than any other category — and drugs have been eating more of the employer’s premium for multiple years now.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of generic
Adjective
  • Cultural and societal differences can also represent a challenge for global businesses when trying to assess socio-economic diversity.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Heated Rivalry delivered on Bell’s promise to generate shows that resonate locally and go global, with the associated financial and reputational benefits.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of global
Adjective
  • The future looks bleak for many students Anxieties about the job market, homeownership and adulthood are widespread across the East Lansing campus, even among those who are not deeply involved in politics.
    — Jacqueline Ganun, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • However, widespread deployment still depends on compatible vehicles, chargers, communications systems, regulations, and business models.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of widespread

Browse Nearby Words

unity
universal
universally
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Universal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/universal. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on universal

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about universal

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